Postgraduate Course: Quantitative Genetics (PGBI11125)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Quantitative Genetics covers basic population genetics theory, quantitative genetic studies of variation and applications, prediction of response to selection, inbreeding and genetic contribution theory and genetic conservation. The course will expose students to algebraic reasoning in an applied biological setting, problem solving, logic, attention to detail in calculations, oral paper presentation and scientific report writing summarising the work of others. Teaching is via lectures and associated question and answer sessions, tutorials and problem sessions and group discussions of recent key scientific papers on relevant and interesting topics. |
| Course description |
The first week will focus on the fundamental concepts in population genetics, including mutation, selection and genetic drift, which are required for the study of quantitative variation. Students will then learn about the importance of quantitative variation, how variation can be explained by simple genetic models, causes of resemblance between relatives, kinships and relationships, heritability and selection response, correlated characters, consequences and management of inbreeding, and variation in natural populations The course will expose students to statistical reasoning within the setting of the analysis of continuously variable traits, problem solving, logic, attention to detail in calculations, oral paper presentation and scientific report writing summarising the work of others. Teaching is via lectures and associated question and answer sessions, tutorials and problem sessions and group discussions of recent key scientific papers on relevant and interesting topics.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 30 |
| Course Start |
Block 2 (Sem 1) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 50,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
146 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
ICA 1: problems (25%).
ICA 2: essay (25%)
Exam: problems + 1 essay or paper summary (50%) |
| Feedback |
Marks and feedback for the ICAs will be made available shortly after each week's submission deadline. Feedback will also be received via a formative assessment essay, and participation in Q&A sessions and tutorials, where the students will be asked to solve problems. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- To have a thorough understanding of the general concepts in quantitative genetics.
- To have the foundation for advanced studies in semester 2 in evolutionary, human and animal breeding genetics.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Cognitive skills (evaluation & critical analysis and logical decomposition of problems)
Numeracy and IT skills (mathematical/statistical analysis, bioinformatic workflows and simulation algorithms needed to solve complex data analysis)
Autonomy, accountability and working with others |
| Keywords | Quantitative Genetics,Genetics,Biology,Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Peter Keightley
Tel: (0131 6)50 5443
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Zofia Bekas
Tel: (0131 6)50 5513
Email: |
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